HOKITIKA DEFAULT TO RUNANGA

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1948, Page 2

HOKITIKA DEFAULT TO RUNANGA

Although few spectators at Wingham Park yesterday knew that tne Hokitika team had defaulted before the. match to Runanga, enabling them to play three unregistered players ana thus provide a matcn for the large crowd, the standard of football provided was somewhat ragged, both sides, at times, lacking polish. There was some bright movements, however, particularly on the part of the Runanga backs, with J. Forrest reproducing the form he had when travelling with the Kiwis. The game, however, provided the Runanga side with a good tryout for their Thacker Shield game next Sunday. G. Menzies, M. Thomas, and L. Sweetman, with assistance from R. Forrest, provided a strong link which frequently cut through tne Hokitika defence, and it was only the solid defensive and spoiling tactics of the Hokitika side which kept the score down. J. Soster was in his best form at full-back, as was J. Ctirragh on the wing. Of the forwards, Higson, L. Forrest, and A. McTaggart were, the hardest worked of a good pack. Despite its inclusion of several outside players, th? Hokitika side showed some good form at times. An outstanding game was played by T. F. McKenzie in the forwards. His kicking has lost none of its accuracy, and his passing left nothing to be desired. in the, forwards, J. Calder played consistently well. The milback, K. Staines, although shaky at times, made few mistakes. The best back was L. Beban, who put in some fine runs, while M. Teen was aiso prominent on the wing. McKenzie opened Hokitika’s score with a good goal and Soster kicked a penalty tor Runanga. Runanga backs all handled when J. Forrest changed the direction to infield and went over lor a fine try under the posts. Soster converted. Hokitika pressed strongly for some time, McKenzie and Teen being prominent. Runanga were penalised and McKenzie put over another good goal making the half-time score Runanga 7, Hokitika 4. Giles replaced Stevens in Runanga’s team in the second spell which produced more open football with some bright passing movements. McKenzie kicked one of the best goals of the season from 35 yards out, and Soster goaled with another good effort. Hokitika’s poor handling seved Runanga shortly afterwards and Baxendale made a long aash, but his pass did not reach McTaggart. J. Curragh. finally secured and dived over well out, Soster’s kick failed. Curragh scored the best try of the day when he secured at the 25 and outpaced' the Hokitika backs io score another try well out, Soster again failing. McKenzie narrowly missed a difficult penalty, and the final try came when Soster and J. Forrest took play to the line in a nne tricky move; The ball came to Menzies who dashed over under the post, Soster converting. The final score was Runanga 20, Hokitika 6.